Interstate travel

Planning a trip from Oklahoma to Illinois to visit a friend. I'll be passing through Missouri on the way. As I understand it, Missouri honors Oklahoma permits. But I had heard that there were different laws in different Missouri counties. Regardless, Illinois does not honor any permits (including 2A, but don't get me started...) So, I'll have to transport my guns in an Illinois-legal manner.

I believe that the Firearms Owners Protection Act (FOPA) allows me to transport my guns as long as they are locked up, unloaded, in an inaccessible location. Common sense suggests that the trunk of my car would be such a location. But, I've seen some discussion suggesting that my trunk becomes "accessible" when I stop for gas, for a potty break, on arrival at my destination, etc.

I intend to transport my guns in locked cases, stored in my trunk. Barring accidents and stops for gas, I don't expect to stop anywhere before reaching my destination.

Are there any other precautions I can take to avoid legal hassles on the trip?

__________________
Balota

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

Practice does NOT make perfect. Practice makes permanent. Only perfect practice makes perfect.

From the Missouri State Patrol FAQ’swww.handgunlaw.us 7
Question Does a person carrying a weapon in a vehicle also have to have a permit for the gun?
Answer: No. A weapon may be carried anywhere in a vehicle, even concealed on the person, under the vehicle exception.
571.030. 1. A Person Commits the Crime of Unlawful Use of Weapons if He or She Knowingly:
(1) Carries concealed upon or about his or her person a knife, a firearm, a blackjack or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use
(3). Subdivisions (1), (5), (8), and (10) of subsection 1 of this section do not apply when the actor is transporting such weapons in a nonfunctioning state or in an unloaded state when ammunition is not readily accessible or when such weapons are not readily accessible. Subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of this section does not apply to any person twenty-one years of age or older transporting a concealable firearm in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, so long as such concealable firearm is otherwise lawfully possessed, nor when the actor is also in possession of an exposed firearm or projectile weapon for the lawful pursuit of game, or is in his or her dwelling unit or upon [business] premises over which the actor has possession, authority or control, or is traveling in a continuous journey peaceably through this state.

__________________
NSDQ

Like it or not, when the chips are down and lives are at stake, an armed citizen can be the "first responder." People who don’t like guns invariably rely on people who have guns when their lives are in danger.

I have OK CC permit. MO recognizes OK. So, I should be able to carry as far as the Illinois line. I'll have to think about that. The only concern is the point at which I stop to unload and lock up the gun. Need to be careful about brandishing issues. But I can probably do that inside the car.

Thanks!

__________________
Balota

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

Practice does NOT make perfect. Practice makes permanent. Only perfect practice makes perfect.

The only other thing that comes to mind is the ammunition. If you were to fly somewhere (which your not), the airlines generally allow you to bring ammo along. They stipulate full boxes, ie- 50 rnds in a 50 rnd box, and locked up in a piece of luggage other than, and separate from the firearm itself. So a separate lockable case for the ammo might be worth considering. I don't know what more you can do than that.

Very good point Seventies. I'll have to check FOPA to see if it specifies locked ammo case. Pretty sure I can cover that requirement as well. The mini range bag that I use for ammo is lockable. At least the side pockets are, and that's enough for my SD ammo. I can buy my ammo for range practice and a possible IDPA outing when I get there. Thanks for the reminder!

__________________
Balota

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

Practice does NOT make perfect. Practice makes permanent. Only perfect practice makes perfect.

Very good point Seventies. I'll have to check FOPA to see if it specifies locked ammo case. Pretty sure I can cover that requirement as well. The mini range bag that I use for ammo is lockable. At least the side pockets are, and that's enough for my SD ammo. I can buy my ammo for range practice and a possible IDPA outing when I get there. Thanks for the reminder!

No problem, and your welcome. It's a impossible task to keep up with every State, jurisdiction, county, city, etc. They pass new laws all the time. I just usually revert back to airline policy when I don't know for sure.